Are not we all uncommon readers?

I received this charming novella from a friend. Can I just tell you? There can be no more perfect gift for the bibliophile in your life. What a joy!

The story is simple. The Queen of England has some very bad corgis. One day on a walk through the grounds at Windsor, the dogs start barking their heads off at a mobile library. (What I’d call a bookmobile.) Neither the Queen, nor the dogs apparently, had ever noticed it parked by the castle before. Propriety being everything, the Queen pops her head in to apologize for the corgis’ behavior, but then feels compelled by that same sense of propriety to borrow a book while she’s there. (It would be rude not to.)

She asks for help selecting a book from the librarian, and also consults with a young man who happens to be picking out a book of his own. It turns out that the young man, Norman Seakins, works in the castle’s kitchen. So begins an odyssey that changes the monarchy, because quite by accident the Queen discovers that reading is the great passion of her life.

Not that everyone is happy with the Queen’s new, all-consuming pursuit. She has to deal with Kiwi private secretaries and the Prime Minister, among others. This slim book is the story of an extraordinary friendship between a Queen and a dish washer. It explores the camaraderie of the literate. There are ruminations on books, and ruminations on writers—and why the latter are more enjoyable on the page than at a party.

The Uncommon Reader is short, sweet, funny, smart, and utterly delightful! It’s just the thing to stuff into a stocking or give to a bookish friend “just because.” Or, even better, just give it to yourself. ( )

I have never used the word "charming" in a book review before, but this one totally qualifies. This quick read is a captovating one for anybody who enjoys books and the discussion around them.

The basic premise is that the Queen of England takes up reading books from a local bookmobile, with the help of a poor, but knowledgeable, servant. While the Queen's tastes interests take her into new genre's and authors her advisors become scared and suspicious of effects the books are causing in the Queen's outlook on their sensible English world and political tomfoolery ensues.

It's a great read for anyone who enjoys books, reading and the discussions that surround all of the above. This short and easy treatise serves as a reminder of the power of ideas, books and why we read. ( )

This is the book for you. If you have taken a book into the bath, or to the dinner table- it is for you. If you carry a book in your handbag, briefcase, or back pocket- it is for you. If you have taken a book to a social gathering, from adinner party to a cousin's wedding, it is for you. If you have ever read anything, even the back of a cereal box, and liked it- this book is for you. This book reminds me of everything I love about reading. It will remind you too. ( )

The Queen borrows a book from the Mobile Library at Buckingham Palace, with humorous consequences. ( )

A cute quick read about the Queen of England getting in to reading and , subsequently, writing. Really, though, kind of a bland story; there's not much there. As the Queen begins to read more and more, we find how poorly read everyone around her is, including advisers, husband and even the prime minister. Bennett is most definitely poking fun at government, as well as the literary world (with the haughty authors looking down their nose at the Queen!).

I'm not sure that I would actively recommend this book to anyone, but if someone were thinking of reading it already, I wouldn't ward them off either. ( )